Tuition & Fees
Cost of Attendance
An affordable private college education is possible. Together, we can build a future worthy of your dreams.
College is a life-changing investment, and Buena Vista University is committed to keeping college tuition affordable. That’s why 100 percent of our students who apply for financial aid receive it. BVU is ranked a Best Value School among regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report 2022.
Thanks to generous scholarships and other aid, no student pays the full amount.
Average Aid for New Undergraduate Students on Our Storm Lake Campus
All Financial Aid
$38,000
Scholarships and Grants only
$30,000
Storm Lake Campus
2023-2024
- Tuition & Fees: Living on Campus
On campus living in a standard residence and Marquis meal plan
| Full-time Tuition | $40,190 |
| | $20,095 per semester |
| Food and Housing | $10,896 |
| | $5,266 room, $5,630 Marquis board
See additional room and board options below |
| Total | $51,086 |
In addition, we add $3,398 to the estimated total cost of attendance when determining dependent financial need to cover expenses such as books, entertainment, travel expenses, etc. for a residential student as follows:
| Books and supplies | $1,132 |
| Transportation and misc | $2,499 |
| Loan Fee | $62 |
This creates a total cost of attendance, used for financial need determination, for current residential students of $54,779. Your actual cost of attendance will be based on residence and meal plan options.
Residence Options
- Additional charge for suites: $125/semester
- Non-suite medium single additional charge: $552/year
- Non-suite super single additional charge: $938/year
- Suite single additional charge: $1,048/year
NOTE: Single rooms are not available for 2023-2024 at this time.
Meal Plan Options
- 14 meal food plan: $5,630 with $175/semester Beaverbucks (Required for first year students)
- 12 meal food plan; $5,098 with $175/semester Beaverbucks
- 10 meal food plan: $4,808 with $30/semester Beaverbucks
- Commuter food plan: $1,420/year (Students residing on campus are not eligible for this plan.)
- Tuition & Fees: Living With a Parent
| Full-time tuition | $40,190 |
| | $20,095 per semester |
| Living, travel, and miscellaneous | $2,922 |
| Books and supplies | $1,132 |
| Misc | $1,739 |
| Loan Fee | $62 |
| Total | $46,045 |
- Tuition & Fees: Commuting, Not Living With a Parent
| Full-time tuition | $40,190 |
| | $20,095 per semester |
| Living allowance | $16,840 |
| Books and supplies | $1,132 |
| Loan Fee | $62 |
| Total | $58,224 |
Storm Lake Campus
2022-2023
- Tuition & Fees: Living on Campus
On campus living in a standard residence and Marquis meal plan
| Full-time tuition | $38,644 |
| | $19,322 per semester |
| Room and board | $10,680 |
| | $5,266 room, $5,414 Marquis board
See additional room and board options below |
| Total | $49,324 |
In addition, we add $3,575 to the estimated total cost of attendance when determining dependent financial need to cover expenses such as books, entertainment, travel expenses, etc. for a residential student as follows:
| Books and supplies | $1,126 |
| Transportation and misc | $2,385 |
| Loan Fee | $64 |
This creates a total cost of attendance, used for financial need determination, for current residential students of $52,899. Your actual cost of attendance will be based on residence and meal plan options.
Residence Options
- Additional charge for suites: $125/semester
Meal Plan Options
- 14 meal food plan: $5,414 with $175/semester Beaverbucks
- 12 meal food plan; $4,902 with $175/semester Beaverbucks
- 10 meal food plan: $4,622 with $30/semester Beaverbucks
- Commuter food plan: $1,264/year
- Tuition & Fees: Living With a Parent
| Full-time tuition | $38,644 |
| | $19,322 per semester |
| Living, travel, and miscellaneous | $2,731 |
| Books and supplies | $1,126 |
| Misc | $1,657 |
| Loan Fee | $64 |
| Total | $44,222 |
- Tuition & Fees: Commuting, Not Living With a Parent
| Full-time tuition | $38,644 |
| | $19,322 per semester |
| Living allowance | $15,360 |
| Books and supplies | $1,126 |
| Loan Fee | $64 |
| Total | $55,194 |
Ranked a Best Value School among regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report, BVU is committed to keeping college tuition affordable.
BVU Online
2023-24
Tuition rate: $465 per credit hour
In addition to the tuition charge, we also include an allowance for living expenses (including travel) and books in a student's expected cost of attendance.
- Full-time student living with a parent
| Full time student living with a parent | Tuition | $16,740 |
| | 36 credits taken terms 1-6 | |
| | Books | $1,728 per year |
| | Living & Travel | $14,148 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $67 per year |
| | Total | $32,683 |
- Full-time student not living with a parent
| Full time student not living with a parent | Tuition | $16,740 |
| | 36 credits taken terms 1-6 | |
| | Books | $1,728 per year |
| | Living & Travel | $22,460 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $67 per year |
| | Total | $40,995 |
BVU Online
2022-23
Tuition rate: $451 per credit hour
In addition to the tuition charge, we also include an allowance for living expenses (including travel) and books in a student's expected cost of attendance.
- Full-time student living with a parent
| Full time student living with a parent | Tuition | $16,236 |
| | 36 credits taken terms 1-6 | |
| | Books | $1,692 per year |
| | Living & Travel | $12,896 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $91 per year |
| | Total | $30,915 |
- Full-time student not living with a parent
| Full time student not living with a parent | Tuition | $16,236 |
| | 36 credits taken terms 1-6 | |
| | Books | $1,692 per year |
| | Living & Travel | $20,470 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $91 per year |
| | Total | $38,489 |
Graduate Programs
2023-2024
- Master of Science in Education - Professional School Counseling
2023-24 Tuition rate: $565 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition (Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term) | $10,170 |
| | Books | $864 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $117 per year |
| | Assessment Portfolio & Background Check | $164 (one time only) |
| | Residency Fee (Term 6, Year 1) | $100 |
| | Total | $11,415 |
For year 2 of the program, there is also a Term 6, $100 residency fee. Graduate programs have a one-time graduation fee of $140.
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $22,460 per year.
- Master of Science in Education – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
2023-24 Tuition rate: $575 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition (Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term) | $10,350 |
| | Books | $864 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $117 per year |
| | Assessment Portfolio Fee | $215 (one time only) |
| | CPCE Exam Fee (Term 6, Year 2) | $150 (one time only) |
| | Residency Fee (Term 6, Year 1) | $100 each residency |
| | Total | $11,796 |
A $250 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your seat at acceptance. It will be applied to tuition and fees upon starting the program. For year 2 of the program, there is also a Term 6, $100 residency fee. Graduate programs have a one-time graduation fee of $140.
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $22,460 per year.
- Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
2023-24 Tuition rate: $565 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition (Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term) | $10,170 |
| | Books | $864 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $117 per year |
| | Total | $11,151 |
Graduate programs have a one-time graduation fee of $140.
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $22,460 per year.
- Master of Education – Teacher Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction
2023-24 Tuition rate: $285 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition (Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term) | $5,130 |
| | Books | $864 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $117 per year |
| | Total | $6,111 |
Graduate programs have a one-time graduation fee of $140.
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $22,460 per year.
- Master of Education in Special Education
2023-24 Tuition rate: $285 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition (Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term) | $5,130 |
| | Books | $864 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $117 per year |
| | Total | $6,111 |
Graduate programs have a one-time graduation fee of $140.
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $22,460 per year.
- Master of Arts in Teaching- Special Education
2023-24 Tuition rate: $495 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition (Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term) | $8,910 |
| | Books | $864 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $117 per year |
| | Assessment Portfolio Fee & Background Check | $194 (one time only) |
| | Total | $10,085 |
There will be a $436 student teaching fee for 12 credit hours of student teaching. Graduate programs have a one-time graduation fee of $140.
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $22,460 per year.
Graduate Programs
2022-23
- Master of Science in Education - Professional School Counseling
2022-23 Tuition rate: $552 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition | $9,936 |
| | Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term | |
| | Books | $846 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $105 per year |
| | Assessment portfolio & background check | $164 (one time only) |
| | Total | $11,051 |
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $20,470 per year.
- Master of Science in Education – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
2022-23 Tuition rate: $552 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition | $9,936 |
| | Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term | |
| | Books | $846 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $105 per year |
| | Assessment portfolio fee | $164 (one time only) |
| | Total | $11,051 |
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $20,470 per year.
- Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
2022-23 Tuition rate: $552 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition | $9,936 |
| | Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term | |
| | Books | $846 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $105 per year |
| | Total | $10,887 |
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $20,470 per year.
- Master of Education – Teacher Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction
2022-23 Tuition rate: $272 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition | $4,896 |
| | Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term | |
| | Books | $846 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $105 per year |
| | Assessment portfolio fee | $139 (one time only) |
| | Total | $5,986 |
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $20,470 per year.
- Master of Education in Special Education
2022-23 Tuition rate: $272 per credit hour
| Full time student | Tuition | $4,896 |
| | Terms 1-6, 3 credits per term | |
| | Books | $846 per year |
| | Loan Fee | $105 per year |
| | Assessment portfolio fee | $139 (one time only) |
| | Total | $5,986 |
In addition to tuition, travel and living costs are estimated at $20,470 per year.
Alongside thoughtful personal financial planning, our financial assistance program is designed to make it possible for all students to attend BVU.
